CA Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, “trailblazer” on same sex marriage, to be honored by GLAAD

GLAAD, one of the nation’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organizations, will honor California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom next month for his “trailblazing” work as a leading advocate in the fight for same sex marriage.
Newsom will receive GLAAD’s Golden Gate Award at the 24th annual GLAAD Media Awards on May 11 at the Hilton Hotel in San Francisco.
Other honorees at the event are Grammy-nominated singer Adam Lambert, and the World Series champion San Francisco Giants will receive the Corporate Leader Award.
Newsom, the Democratic lieutenant governor, “has never shied from using the platform he was given to speak out on behalf of the LGBT community and advocate for policies that move equality forward,” said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz. “At a time when more and more elected officials are siding with equality for gay and lesbian couples, GLAAD is honored to recognize Lt. Gov. Newsom for his trailblazing actions and commitment to equality.”
The organization noted that, as mayor of San Francisco in 2004, Newsom made national headlines when he directed the city and county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.
The action unleashed a torrent of political activity — and legal challenges.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on California’s Prop. 8, the voter-approved measure to ban same sex marriage.
Newsom has been frequently included in a short list of potential future gubernatorial candidates in California.
Nominees for the organization’s honors were announced in January and can be seen here.
The Lt. Governor’s wife, filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, will present her husband with the award.